When inspecting an unidentified rod of fire bolts, I get "It can be aimed". When inspecting an unidentified rod of trap location, I get "It can be activated". However, both rods ask for a direction when zapped the first time...

I get that you may want to aim your unidentified rod at something to try it, even if the effect is not what you expect, but in that case the message should probably be "It can be aimed" in all cases.